A Sun Blog

Tracking former UF athletes through their professional sports careers

Florida made history in this year’s MLB Draft, but history once again stands in the way of departing Gators at the next level. There’s no question this was the most successful draft for UF’s baseball program in nearly a century of existence. Junior catcher Mike Zunino became the highest-drafted Gator ever while an unprecedented eight Florida players were selected in the first nine rounds of the draft. But hearing your name called in the MLB Draft doesn’t mean your name… Read More »

About This Blog

If Zach Abolverdi had a dollar for every time his last name was mispronounced … you just made him richer. Born in Orlando but raised in Gainesville since 1990, he grew up around Florida football during the Steve Spurrier era. He once threw a perfect spiral under Spurrier’s watchful eye at his summer camp. The Head Ball Coach told him, “That’s a nice throw for a little man, but hold that ball by your ear.” The 8-year-old gunslinger replied, “I already know how to throw a football.” He didn’t appreciate the little man comment either. Zach is a Hearst Award winner and graduate of the University of Florida. He enjoys spending time with family, Denzel Washington movies and only about a dozen music artists, most of whom go by their real name. College football, the NFL, March Madness and LeBron James provide his sports fix.